Prism Board

Joe Ayers
First “country blues” performance at the Prism in 1974. Present during but not an officer at the time of The Prism Coffeehouse’s 501(c)(3) incorporation in 1985. Nominated in 1998 for Board membership and elected Chairman of the Board in 1999. Forty years as a performing artist, musicologist, historian, founder of Virginia’s James River Bateau Festival, resurrector of Virginia’s early four-string banjo tradition, sometimes excitedly refers to himself as the “Pete Seeger of the South.” “National Geographic” cover boy, in the forefront of recovery and restoration of Virginia’s deeply buried musical and cultural heritage. Currently farm boy in Fluvanna Co. (trees and mushrooms). Keeps meetings in order, ensures all Board members and their ideas get a fair and open hearing, sees that meetings don’t go on too long or get off track; otherwise helps with setups and fills in whatever/ whenever needed.

Becca Fredrick
I grew up in Charlottesville, and returned to town in 2014 after graduating from Wesleyan University with a degree in biological anthropology. My family has been involved in the old time music scene for as long as I can remember, and volunteering with the Prism was a natural extension of that. I spend much of my free time hanging out with my cats, being outside, studying bones, and playing a lot of fiddle. Beyond that, I’m a veterinary assistant at Airport Animal Clinic, and occasionally moonlight as a church organist. I serve on the Prism’s booking committee and maintain its email account, and joined the board in 2015.

Al Hinton
The newest member of the Prism Board, joined in the spring of 2015. Came to Charlottesville as a UVA student in 1978 and has basically stayed in the area ever since. A passionate lover of live music, he has worked in the music business in many capacities. As a talent buyer and promoter for various music halls over the years and throughout the area, he has also worked as manager for several touring acts. Al is an “occasionally professional” acoustic musician who lives for an enthusiastic back porch jam. He equally delights in bringing those truly professional musicians to the attention of an appreciative audience. He helps the Prism with booking and producing concerts.

Peter Jones
A Prism board member since 2007, Peter has done a little of everything. He has lived in Europe, spent time selling prophylactics on the black market in the former Soviet Union, done storytelling around the US and high up in the Austrian Tyrolean Alps, hosts and produces an internationally syndicated children’s radio program, and has been the Folk Director at community radio station WTJU since 2012.

Steve Kindig
Joined the Prism board in 2014. Moved to Charlottesville in 1983 to attend UVA. Failed out of grad school almost immediately. Began working at local electronics retailer Crutchfield in 1984 and I’ve been there ever since. I write and edit content for the website and catalogs. I love great music and great sound. I’m a longtime host of the folk program “Atlantic Weekly” on WTJU, and a few years ago joined the team for the world music show “Radio Tropicale.” I currently serve as the Prism’s treasurer, and also pitch in with hauling and setting up gear.

Pete Marshall
First came to Central Virginia in 1978 from the UK. Joined the Prism Board in 2014. Founding member of, and played with Mando Mafia for 20+ years, including annual appearances at the Prism. I have two daughters, both of whom follow the family tradition of playing music. I’m the host of the long- running folk program ‘Sunset Road’ on radio station WTJU in Charlottesville, and have had countless interviews and connections with local, regional, national & international folk acts. Former Board member of Innisfree, Inc. Current day job: Cabinet Maker. I schlep sound equipment, and help with sound engineering and booking.

Chris Munson
Social chairman for Sigma Nu Fraternity at UVA in 1980, chair of PK German concert committee from 1982-1984, (responsible for booking, promoting and producing such acts as Bonnie Raitt, The Pretenders, Talking Heads and The Grateful Dead, John Prine, McCoy Tyner and Jorma Kaukonen. I formed Rising Tide Productions in 1985, which managed and booked Johnny Sportcoat and The Casuals and operated the 500-seat nightclub, The Mineshaft, where i booked, promoted and produced such acts as Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Neville Brothers, The Greg Allman Band, John Lee Hooker, Buckwheat Zydeco and Emmylou Harris. Rising Tide Productions also booked a variety of acts for local colleges and fraternity organizations.

I was production manager and audio engineer (mid 1980s to late 1990s) at The Mineshaft & Trax in Charlottesville and The Floodzone in Richmond both of which specialized in national touring acts. Toured as front of house audio engineer & production manager nationally and internationally with Delbert McClinton and Michelle Shocked for several years and produced and managed festivals for Red Light Management and the Annual Country Music Festival Benefit.

From 1999 to 2003 I was production manager and local/regional booking agent for the newly opened Starr Hill Music Hall in Charlottesville Va, designed & installed their sound system and oversaw staffing, local & regional booking and operations.

I formed 20 South Productions in 1998 & my ties to the local and national music community remain extremely strong. 20 South Productions also books some of the area’s finest and most varied talent in the Mid Atlantic region for concerts, festivals, private parties, weddings and corporate events. We have recently promoted and produced events at the Paramount Theater, the Jefferson Theater, The Charlottesville Pavilion, Oakridge Estate, Randolph Macon College as well as First Night Virginia.

Laura Seale
I started doing volunteer work for the Prism in 1991, just after graduating from UVA. I love all kinds of music and feel privileged to have heard so many artists at the Prism through the years. I’m a mom of two, a poet and a naturalist. I get enthusiastic about moths and mushrooms. I volunteer with the Virginia Master Naturalists and am involved with a number of local citizen science projects and wildlife surveys. I recently completed a 9-month herbalism apprenticeship. I’m currently serving as the Prism’s recording secretary and volunteer coordinator.

Dave Shreve
A Prism board member since 2009, Dave is a former professor of economic history at the University of Virginia and is the current executive director of Wintergreen Adaptive Sports, a Nelson County-based non-profit dedicated to providing outdoor sports opportunities and instruction to persons with disabilities. A native of West Virginia, but a longtime resident of Louisiana–where he earned his PhD in economic history (LSU, 1995), served as a budget analyst for the Louisiana legislature, and immersed himself in Cajun music and cuisine–Dave moved to Charlottesville in January 1999. In addition to his work with a number of area non-profits, including Virginia Organizing and Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population, he is a centerfielder and third baseman for the Brewers of the Charlottesville Men’s Baseball League.

Shop at Kroger and use a Kroger Plus Card?

If you shop at Kroger and use a Kroger Plus Card, you can assign The Prism Coffeehouse as your designated non-profit to receive your Community Rewards! Just click here, and when prompted, type in either "90496" or "Prism Coffeehouse". Once you have done that, the Prism will be automatically set up to receive a percentage of almost all your purchases (or your money spent anyway)! That will defray the costs of hotels for some of the artists we bring to town. As a non-profit organization, every dollar counts. Thank you!

Help Us Grow!

The Prism Coffeehouse is seeking volunteers to help with their live acoustic music concert programming. As a fun & dedicated organization, the Prism can use help in all aspects of its organization, including staffing on the days of shows, sound production, fundraising, publicity, graphics, accommodations arrangement, volunteer coordination, & website management. Join the Prism in bringing excellent acoustic & folk music to Charlottesville and help us grow! Please contact Laura Seale at prismvolunteer@gmail.com or 434-974-7233